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Tayari's Blog: The Privilege of "Youth"

Posted by TayariJones on August 19, 2007 09:38 AM
Filed under The Writing Life

In November, I will be 37 years old, which will make me 2 years over the hill. The hill I am thinking about in particular is the "young writer" category. Every year there are "exciting" lists of the best new writers under a certain age. Twice this month, I have been asked if I were under thirty-five. "Oh darn," the person said. "I wanted to nominate you for something."

I have always felt a little iffy about such lists-- it's even worse now that I have aged out. My question is what does age have to do with what is new in writing. My concern has grown as I have worked with many fine writers who are over 35, over 45, over 55, who are busy writing thier first novels. These writers are certainly new writers, but they are not going to be eligible for these splashy lists.

I now am wondering if these lists are inherently biased in terms of socio-economic class. Think about it. Most of what anyone, not just writers, accomplish at a young age has much to do with that person's family background. It takes a few years for the boot-strappy among us catch up with the accomplishments of the silver-spoon crowd.

Why shouldn't these lists of new writers be determined by the author's publishing history? I know that "Best New Writers Who Have Published Two or Fewer Books" doesn't have the same ring of "Best New Writers Under 30", but it makes a whole lot more sense.